# NTSB LAX82FA110: Mooney M20K, N231AM, Alpine, CA, March 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1982, 18:21 local (Mar 18, 1982, 02:21 UTC)
- Place: Alpine, CA
- Location: 32.8428° N, 116.7554° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Alpine, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8428&lon=-116.7554&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69750
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69750/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA110

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER BEING CLEARED FROM 8000 FEET DOWN TO 6000 FEET THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER REALIZED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN TROUBLE WHEN THE MODE C ALTITUDE INDICATED 3600 FEET. HE RECEIVED NO UNDERSTANDABLE RESPONSE FROM THE PILOT WHEN ASKED ABOUT ALTITUDE OR HEADING. RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST SHORTLY AFTERWARD. DURING THE PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING FROM THE ALBUQUERQUE FSS IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THE PILOT LAND SHORT OF HIS DESTINATION TO OBTAIN A WEATHER UPDATE DUE TO FORECAST ICING AND TURBULENCE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND TO HAVE IMPACTED AT A NEAR VERTICAL ANGLE WITH NO FORWARD TRAVEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N231AM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20K
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-0080
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360GB 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald G. & Patricia J. Farhat
- Registered owner: Donald G. & Patricia J. Farhat
- Departed: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 900 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NKX, 20 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820317004229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820317004229A), Mar 17, 1982: Mooney M20K, Alpine, CA, Destroyed. Proceeded into area of servere turbulence and icing. Lost control. Was advised of NOTAMS on weather. Poor judgement

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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